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Original poster

Childcare

12 replies

Jellybean2017 · 20/02/2018 01:45

Hello, I'm becoming very confused re. The changes to the childcare vouchers. Currently on Mat leave returning to work in August. I understand the deadline for the voucher scheme is April. Both my DH and I can get vouchers from our respective employers. But mine is saying because I'm not going back to work and using childcare until August, I can't join? DH has not yet asked his employer. Does anyone know if this is right / there is a way around this? I wondered if I could purchase the vouchers separately in advance whilst still on Mat leave. Grateful for any advice.

OP posts:
betterbemoreorganised · 20/02/2018 01:51

www.dailymail.co.uk/money/bills/article-5367395/Act-fast-hands-childcare-vouchers.html

(I only read the daily fail as a last resort when I'm bored breastfeeding in the night and I've run out of other suitable reading material! )

Original poster
Jellybean2017 · 20/02/2018 08:17

Thanks for the link. Still not sure if I can join voucher scheme if I won't be buying any til August...anyone know?

OP posts:
TittyGolightly · 20/02/2018 08:18

No, you can’t. You need to start buying by April. But you can save up vouchers before needing to use them.

Toomanycats99 · 20/02/2018 08:19

I would join and save them up. I did this on maternity and they can be refunded if you needed to.

RicStar · 20/02/2018 08:20

Op if you have no salary to sacrifice - so are on unpaid or statutory only part of mat leave this is probably correct. If you have salary to sacrifice enhanded pay then you should be able to join now even if you are not using the vouchers straight away but you can sign up on a nil amount.

RicStar · 20/02/2018 08:23

Sorry that is meant to say can't join up on a nil amount! You would need to purchase a small amount of vouchers from when you sign up. So you need sufficient sacraficabless salary to do that. You can then vary the amount later.

Original poster
Jellybean2017 · 20/02/2018 09:19

Hmm. I will be on SMP by April I think, and then unpaid from May onwards.

OP posts:
TittyGolightly · 20/02/2018 09:26

You’re out of luck then.

Original poster
Jellybean2017 · 20/02/2018 09:47

Bugger!

OP posts:
ClareB83 · 20/02/2018 11:29

You can join the new scheme though.

I mean I've heard it's got terrible admin problems etc but at least there is something replacing the voucher scheme.

Original poster
Jellybean2017 · 20/02/2018 12:44

I suppose... We would've saved more with vouchers though as can both get through work. Oh well! Thanks for responding all 😊

OP posts:
HeadDreamer · 20/02/2018 12:57

I mean I've heard it's got terrible admin problems etc but at least there is something replacing the voucher scheme.

I'm on it and it's administered by HMRC. I haven't received top ups for the last two months and they haven't got a clue why over the phone. I was asked to put in a compensation claim. And it can take up to 28 working days for an acknowledgement. (I haven't received an acknowledgement for my Jan claim yet). Also, you need to put in a claim for each month that it's not working.

Good luck with it and I hope you have that extra 20% to pay for childcare without the help of the govt otherwise you'd be screwed.

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